Parking system



Jan. 27', 1953Y l. F. WEBER 2,626,718

PARKING SYSTEM Filed April 19, 1949 s sheets-sheet 1 FIGZ ` mlvENroR`/HNo WEBER BM amm ATTORNEYS l; F. WEBER PARKING SYSTEM Jan'. 27, 1953Filed April 19, 41949 -3 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN NTE IHNOFWBR Jan. 27, 19.5 3l. F. WEBER 2,626,718

\ PARKING SYSTEM Filed April 19, 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 NVEIVTOR IHNO EWEBER 333W a ma.

ATTORNEYS Patented `Ian. 27, 1953 PARIUNG SYSTEM Ihno F. Weber, Dayton,Ohio Application April 19, 1949, Serial No. 88,345

6 Claims. (Cl. 21d-16.1)

This invention relates to a built up structure in which automobiles canbe parked.

It is the general conception that a complete garage building shall beprovided for the purpose of parking automobiles off the street. However,such complete buildings are expensive to construct, and are wasteful ofparking area because of the large amount of space required for ramps anddriveways in the building.

Even such open-air structures as have been provided in the past areprimarily no 'different from the usual buildings except that the sideWalls have been eliminated to form an open-air structure. However, evenhere it is necessary to have the usual ramps extending between thevarious oors of the building and driveways to take care of the movementof cars through the structure.

It is, therefore, the object of this invention to provide a built upstructure that will conserve parking space and in which the automobilescan be parked side by side in parallel rowsv one behind the otherwithout any provision for movement of cars between the various rows.

n It is still another object of this invention to provide a built upstructure for the parking of automobiles on several oor levels in whichthe automobiles can be placed in a specific space on any floor levelwithout requiring any reshifting of the automobiles that have alreadybeen parked in the structure. I Y

It is still another object of this invention to provide a skeleton vtypeof structure in which automobiles can be parked at various levels, theskeleton type of structure greatly reducing the cost of producing thesame.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a system andapparatus for parking of automobiles wherein the automobiles are movedautomatically into a selected space on a selected floor, thuseliminating the necessity of the great number of attendants for parkingof the automobiles.

Still another object of this invention is to provide a system andapparatus for parking of automobiles wherein .the several floor levelsof a Vbuilt up structure in which the automobiles are parked eachconsist of a plurality of movable platforms that are adapted to receivethe automobiles, and which platforms can be moved into selectedpositions to place selected parking spaces in a predetermined positionto receive automobiles from an elevator operating between the variouslevels of the structure. Y

.1 Further objects and advantages will become 2 apparent from thedrawings and following description.

In the drawings: V

Figure 1 isl a verticalelevational view of a side of a built upstructure constructedy in accordance with this invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view of one of the floor levels of the structure. i

Figure 3 is an enlarged perspective elevational view of a portion of thestructure to illustrate in more detail the mechanical arrangement of thestructure.

Figure 4 is a plan view of a car carrier that carries theautomobiles andmoves them into and out of the parking space in the structure.

Figure 5 is an elevational side view of the car carrier shown in Figure4.

Figure 6 is an elevational view of a portion of the structureillustrating the apparatus for operating the car carrying platforms.

Figure 7 is a diagrammatic illustration of a hydraulic system foroperating the car lifting mechanism provided on the car carrier shown inFigures 4 and 5.

Figure 8 is a schematic wiring diagram of a control system for theapparatus.

In this invention there is provided a built up skeleton-like structureconsisting of a plurality of floor levels that is adapted to receiveautomobiles for parking. The various'floor levels or parking levels arespaced vertically one from another only a suicient height to permit theautomobiles to be moved into and out of at various parking levels. Thus,considerable space is saved as Well as considerable height and buildingmaterials. Y

On the various parking levels of the built up structure there isprovided on each of the levels a plurality of platforms that are movabletrans-- versely of the structure. These platforms are each adapted toreceive several automobiles which when once placed on the platformsremain in. place until the automobile is to be deliveredto the owner.

The platforms are adapted to be moved relative to a central isle in thestructure to bring the several parking spaces into alignment with theloading aisle so that automobiles can be placed in.

the various parking spaces on the several platforms selectively bymerely advancing the automobiles down the loading aisle.

An elevator is/provided in the structure for carrying the automobiles tothe various parking levelsl and for returning them to the floor level.It is the purpose of the invention to provide a built up structure forparking automobiles that uses the cubical space of the structure to thefullest extent. Further, the structure is provided with no internalwalls, but the interior of the structure is a steel skeleton framework,thereby reducing construction costs to a minimum. However, if desired, asuitable roof can be placed over the structure and sheet metal sideWalls can be secured for the outer walls of the structure for thepurpose of enclosing the parked automobiles to keep them out of theweather.

The built-up structure consists of a plurality of vertical risers I5that are arranged in parallel rows transversely of the structure andlongitudinally thereof, as shown in Figure 2. The vertical risers I arepreferably steel I beams and form the main supports for the structure.Extending between each of the risers III from front to rear of thestructure are a plurality of I beams II. These I beams II are secured tothe risers I by means of gusset plates I2 in a convement or conventionalmanner. Extending transversely of the structure on each side of therisers I0 are the rails I3. Rigidity of the structure is therebyestablished by the I beam supports and the rails I3.

The rails I3 also provide the support for the automobile receivingplatforms I5. These platforms I5 are each adapted tc receive severalautomobiles and are movable from side to side of the structure for thepurpose of aligning the several spaces I5-A, I5-B, I5-C, I5-D and I5-Ewith an elevator I6 whereby an automobile can be moved from the elevatorinto the selected space positioned in front of the elevator.

Each of the platforms I5 consists of a plurality of parallel andhorizontally disposed supporting beams I1. Each of these supportingbeams I1 is provided with a flanged wheel I8 carried at each end thereofthat rests on the transverse rails I3 that extend across the structureat each end of the support beams I1, shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The supporting beams I1 are inter-connected by channels I9 that extendtransversely of the supporting beams I1 to thereby tie the severalsupporting beams I1 into a platform unit which can be moved as a unittransverselyA of the structure while supported on the rails I3. Theupper face of the supporting beams I1 can provide a catwalk.

Positioned alongside of the supporting beams I1 there is a rail 2B thatmay be carried on the channels I9. These rails 23 are provided with apocket or recess 2l adapted to receive the front or rear wheels of anautomobile when it is in position on the platform to prevent theautomobile from rolling in one direction or another on the platform.

Between each of the cooperating rails 2i) adjacent the supporting beamsI1 which receive the automobile, as shown in Figure 3, there is provideda pair of rails 22.

As shown in Figure 2 the pairs of rails 22 provided on the platforms I5are all adapted to align one with the other when the platforms are intheir normal positions, these pairs of rails 22 are also adapted toalign with a pair of rails 23 carried on the elevator I6 provided withinthe elevator shaft 25.

On the elevator I6 there is provided a car carrier 30 illustrated inFigures 4 andV 5. This car carrier is supported on the pair of rails 23on the elevator I3 and is adapted to lift the automobile from engagementwith the elevator and to carrythe automobile forward into one of thespaces on one of the platforms in the structure.

In Figure 7 there is a diagrammatic illustration of the hydraulic systemused in the car carrier 35. In this diagrammatic system the hydraulicpump 43 draws liquid from the reservoir 45 through the suction pipe 46and discharges it through the pipe 41 into the hydraulic motor 42.Movement of the piston 48 forwardly will cause the lift mechanism tooperate to raiseV an automobile.

A return line 55 is provided between the hydraulic motor 42 and thereservoir 45, a solenoid operative valve S being provided in the line 50to allow free now of hydraulic fluid from the motor to the reservoirwhen the valve is open, and thereby permit the automobile to be lowered,in a manner hereinafter described.

Independent electric motors 60 are provided for driving the severalplatforms I5 to move them transversely of the structure. are suitablymounted on the structure beneath the various platforms. Each of themotors 60 carry a drum 6I on the driveshaft thereof over which a cableE2 passes.

The cable @2 extends between pulleys 63 and 64 positioned at oppositesides of the structure. The cable is attached to the platform I5 by afastening device 66 having a turnbuckle connection E5 to tighten thecable.

Rotation of the drum 6I in one direction will cause the platform to movein one direction on the rails I3, and reverse rotation of the drum 6Iwill cause the platform to move in a reverse direction.

The car carrier 3i) may consist of the car frame 3l having pairs ofwheels 32 and 33 at each end thereof that engage the rails 23 ofelevator I6. The wheels are anged to prevent the car carrier fromjumping loff the rails.

On the car carrier 30 there is provided an electric motor 34 that may bedriven in either direction of rotation for moving the car carrierforward and backwardly. The motor 34 is connected by means of a chaindrive 35 with the axle of the pairs of Wheels 32 and 33.

Also carried on the car carrier 30 is a hydraulic lifting device forraising the automobile from the elevator so that it will be carriedfully by the car carrier. This lifting device may consist of a pair ofparallel arms 36 and 31 provided at each end of the car carrier 30.These arms have a supporting member 33 inter-connecting them. On thearms 36 and 31 are gear segments 39 and 4I) that engage a rack 4I. Therack 4I is connected to a hydraulic motor 42 through the connecting rod49 whereby forward and rearward movement of the rack 4I through thehydraulic operation of motor 42 will raise or lower the liftingmechanism. A hydraulic motor 42 is provided at each end of the carcarrier 3@ for operating the respective lift mechanisms at therespective end of the car carrier.

The hydraulic motors 42 are` supplied with fluid under pressure by meansof a pump 43 which is driven by the electric motor 44. A reservoir 45 isprovided for supplying the pump 43.

In the arrangement of the structure, a central loading aisle Iii@ isfree Yof automobiles at all times, the platforms on any one level allhaving their end portions in alignment to form the loading aisle. Th-isloading aisle and the rails therein are in alignment with the rails 23on the elevator I6. Also when any one of the platforms I5 are movedrelative to the loading aisle I-00 The motors 60 the rails 22 of anyspace on the platform `aligns. with the other rails in the loadingaisle. Thus,

the car carrier 30 can move from the elevator I6 along the loading aisleIIIIJ to depositI a car in any space on any platform according to apreselection of the platform to be used and the space to be lled.

As shown in Figure 1 the platforms alternate from the left to the righthand side of the structure from one parking level to another to balancethe structure. However, since the platforms extend on both sides of theloading aisle any two parking levels form a complete utilization ofspace for the parking of automobiles, the loading aisle being the onlyunoccupied space in any part of the platform structure.

vAs will be seen from the arrangement illustrated invFigures l and 2,the minimum working space for each platform comprises a space equal toat least Vtwice the parking spaces on the movable platform forautomobiles, less one. This arrangement permits the back-and-forthmovement of each` parking platform and provides for one space, which isordinarily unoccupied, for utilization during transfer of an automobilefrom the elevator I 6 to a parking space on an adjacent platform.

Operation The sequence in the general operation of the parking systemand apparatus is such that an automobile can be placed in position onthe elevator of the building. Y

When the automobile is placed on the elevator, the hydraulic system ofthe Ycar carrier will be actuated to lift the car from the elevator andsupport it upon the car carrier.

The operator will make a selection of the oor to which the elevator willrise and will also select the platform and the space on the platformthat is to receive the automobile.

The operator will then cause the control circuit to function whereby tocause the elevator to rise to the selected floor.

During the time the elevator is rising to the selected floor, theselected platform on the floor moves to place the particular space inposition to receive the automobile when the elevator arrives at thefloor.

, When the elevator arrives at the selected floor,

the car carrier will move forward t-o place the automobile in theselected position on the selected platform. When the car is positionedin its place on the platform, the hydraulic system of the car v will beactuated to allow the automobile to drop onto the platform in itsselected space.

When the automobile drops into its selected space on the platform, thecar carrier will be returned to the elevator. When the car carrierreturns to the elevator, the elevator will be actuated to return to theground floor ready rto receive another automobile.

The control circuit for automatically obtaining this sequence ofoperations is shown in Figure 8. Inthe schematic electric circuit ofFigure 8, M represents the electric motor for operating the pump ofV thehydraulic system on the car carrier. EM is the elevator motor forraising and lowering the elevator between the oors 'of the building. CMis the car carrier motor for moving the car carrier to and from theelevator. PM represents the several motors that move the platforms onthe respective floors.

lIn :the electricv circuit only sufcient elements have been shown tocomplete a cycle of operation of theparki'g system, but it is understoodthat additional units can be provided to take care of various floors `ofthe building.

vator, the switch A is closed to make circuit to the car carrier motor Mfrom the power line X to the power line Y through the lines I0, II andI2. The interlock switch B is closed at this time. Concurrently, currentis carried to the relay coil C to close the holding'relay D so that whenthe pump motor M causes operation of the hydraulic car lift and theswitch A is opened, the motor will continue to operate the pump untilthe limit switch E is opened, whereupon the pump motor will stopwith'the automobile supported on the car carrier in elevated position.

The'operator can at that time, or previously, make vthe selection of thefloor to which the automobile will be 'sent and of the platform andspace on the platform to which it will be delivered. The operator closesone of the oor selector sWitchesF, one of the platform selector switchesG for that particular oor and one of the space selector switches H forthat particular platform. For example, floor selector switch F2 isrepresented as being closed by the dotted arrow through it to select thesecond floor, platform selector switch G2 is represented as being closedto select the second platform on the second'fioor and space selectorswitch H3 has been closed to select the third space on the secondplatform on the second floor.

With the selection `thus made, the operator will close the startingbutton S which momentarily makes circuit between power lines X and Ythrough the lines I3, I 4, and I5, switch F2, and the forward startingrelay I. concurrently, current is supplied to the holding relay coil Jto close the contacter J I upon the lower contacts and lthus establish aholding circuit through the starting coil I until the elevator reachesthe selected second iloorat which time the floor limit switch K2 will`open to break the circuit through the starter I and the relay coil J,thus stopping the elevator at the second nom. similar umn switches KIand K3 are in series with the floor selector switches FI and F3.

When the holding relay J is energized during the up movement of theelevator, thecircuit through the upper contacts of the holding coil isbroken to prevent actuation of the car carrier motor while the elevatoris moving. 4

The car carrier motor CM is energized by operation of the one way actingswitch L which when the arm I6 is rotated counter-clockwise closes theswitch, and when operated clockwise, causes no operation of the switchL. The switch L is located on the elevator and is tripped as itr reachesthe various floors. Thus, so long as the elevator is in motion and therelay coil J is energized to retain the elevator in motion, the trippingaction of the switch L will not eect operation of the car carrier motorto cause it to move forward olf of the elevator.

The switch L will be delayed in its closed position for a shortintervalafter tripping the same by the time delay device I1. This allowssuiiicient time to cause the car motor CM to begin its forward movementolf of the elevator. Promptly upon forward movement of the car motor CMas caused by closing of the circuit through the lines I8, I9 and 20through the forward starting control N, the forward linut switch O willbe closed. This energizes the holding relay coil P through the lines I9and 22, relay coil P and lines 23 and 24. The relay Q is then closed toestablish a holding circuit through the lines I8 and 22 to the forwardstarting control N of the car motor CM to keep the car motor in forwardmotion until the limit switch O is opened mechanically by engagementwith a mechanical part of the platform selected to receive theautomobile.

When the car motor moves the car carrier to its position over theselected platform to receive the automobile, switch R is closed toenergize the solenoid operated valve S to open the same and release thehydraulic lift system on the car carrier to permit the lift systemtodrop the automobile onto the platform, a selected platform havingpreviously been placed in a selected position to receive the automobilein a manner hereinafter described.

When the automobile drops to the platform the double switch T isoperated to close the contacts U and open the contacts B. The closing ofthe contacts U establishes an electric circuit to the reverse startercontrol W for the car motor CM through the lines 25, 26, 21 and 28.Concurrently, a circuit is established through a relay coil AA throughthe lines 26, 29 and 28 to close the relay BB. 'I'his establishes aholding circuit to the reverse starting control W for the car motor CM.

When the automobile is dropped to the platform. the switch A is closed,which would tend to start the hydraulic lifting system on the carcarrier, if it were not for the fact that the interlock switch B is noWopen to prevent a circuit being made through the pump motor M.

Reverse operation of the car carrier motor CM will return the carcarrier to the elevator. When the car carrier is on the elevator theswitch CC will open to stop the car carrier motor CM.

As the car carrier motor reaches its position on the elevator the oneway acting switch DD will be operated to momentarily close the contactsDD-l to establish a circuit through the reverse starter control II forthe elevator motor EM. Concurrently, an electric circuit is mad-ethrough the relay coil EE to close theY relay FF thereby establishing aholding circuit through the reverse starter' control II for the elevatormotor EM which will return the elevator to the first iioor whereat thelimitl switch GG will be opened to break circuit through the holdingcircuit of the reverse control II and thereby stopl the elevator motor.

To place a selected platform on as'elected floor in a selected positionthe platform selector switch G has previously been closed as Well as thespace selector H-3 for the platform motor PM-2, as previously described.After the closing of the selector switch the time delay switch HH isclosed manually by the operator which thereby establishes a circuitthrough the` forward starting control JJ of the starter for the platformmotor PM-2 through the lines 3B, 3l, 32, 33, 34 and 35. The time delayswitch HI-I is so constructed and timed to maintain a circuit throughthe starting control JJ for sufficient time to allow the maximummovement of the platform. When the platform reaches its selected forwardposition the limi-t switch KRL-3 in series with the space selector H-3will be open to stop the platform at the selected space.

After the automobile has been placed upon the platform in the selectedspace and the car carrier has returned to the elevator in the man- 8*ner previously" described, and the "elevator has started its downmovement, the one way acting switch LL will be operated by the downmovement of the elevator to momentarily close the contacts LL-I. Thismakes a circuit through the return starting control NN for the platformmotor PM-2 to start the platform to return to its initial positon,Concurrently, a circuit is made through the holding coil OO through the-lines 35, 3l, 33, 29 and All to close the relay PP and thereby retaincircuit to the return control NN for the platform motor PlVl-2 until itreturns to its initial position, at which the limit switch-QQ will opento break circuit to the holding relay coil OO and de-energize thestarting control NN to stop the platform motor PM-2.

Incidentally, when circuit is made to the reverse .starting control NNof the platform motor PM2, similar circuit is made to the other platformmotors PM-l and PM-3 to assure that these platforms will be in theirstarting position and to return them in the event they might not havebeen returned previously due to some faulty operation.

While the apparatus disclosed and described herein constitutes apreferred form of the invention, yet it will be understood thatmechanical alterations can be made to the apparatus Without departingfrom the spirit of the invention, and that the modifications that fallwithin the scope of the appended claims are intended to be includedherein.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A built up automobile parking structure which includes, a skeletonstructure having a plurality of horizontally positioned parking levels,each of said parking levels comprising a plurality of platforms eachhaving a plurality of parking spaces thereon on which to placeautomobiles in side by side relationship longitudinally of the saidplatform, said platforms on the respective levels being movablehorizontally in a path parallel to other platforms on the same level,the said parking spaces on said platforms being longitudinally inalignment with one another whereby to park automobiles on adjacentlplatforms in end to end relationship, each of said platforms operatingin a minimum worklng space for shifting of the platform equal to twicethe parking spaces arranged on the platform, less one, one of saidparking spaces being an aisle space across which an automobile can bemoved from one platform to another, means individually moving the saidplatforms to place a parking space in alignment with the aisle space ofan adjacent platform, and an elevator in longitudinal alignment withIthe aisle spaces of the platforms at the various parking levels, atransfer car movable onto said elevator and movable therefrom over thealigned aisle spaces,

Y control means for selecting a particular parking space in -aparticular platform at a particular parking level including, means forrendering said control means active to cause the selected platform onthe selected level to place the selected parking space in alignment Withthe loading aisle of the selected level, control means for causing saidelevator to rise to the selected level, control means actuated inresponse to the arrival of the elevator at the selected level to actuatethe said transfer car to advance the same to the selected parking spaceon the selected platform.

control means actuated in response to the arrival of the transfer car atthe selected space for causing said transfer car to drop the cary ontosaid platforminto its parking space, control means actuated in responseto the placing of the car on the platform for causing return of thetransfer car onto the elevator, and control means actuated in response`to the return of the transfer car onto the elevator for causing theelevator to return `to its starting position.

2. An automobile parking structure which includes, a structure having aplurality of parking levels, each of said levels comprising a pluralityof 'platforms movable in parallel adjacent paths through said structure,said platforms each consisting of a plurality of parking spaces arrangedfor parking of automobiles therein in side by side relationshiplongitudinally of the platforms, each of said platforms operating in aminimum working space for shifting of the platform equal to twice theparking spaces arranged on the platform, less one, one of said parkingspaces being alignable with other like spaces on adjacent platformsforming therewith a loading aisle extending across the several platformsin the respective parking level, an elevator for raising and loweringautomobiles relative to the several parking levels positionedlongitudinally in alignment with the said loading aisle spaces when inalignment, the said loading aisles of various parking levels beingpositioned vertically one above the other, a transfer car movable ontosaid elevator and movable therefrom over aligned loading aisle spacesand parking spaces aligned therewith, track means in theloading'aislespace of each of said platforms to receive said transfercar whereby to move an automobile across said loading aisle space on anyplatform, corresponding track means in each of said parking spaces onsaid platforms alignable with the track means in said loading aislespaces-whereby to receive said transfer car thereon, said transfer carincluding drive means thereon for moving the same from the elevator oversaid track'means longitudinally along the loading aisle spaces to placean automobile in a parking space on a platform aligned therewith,control means for selecting a particular parking space in a particularplatform at a particular parking level including, means for renderingsaid control means active to cause the selected platformen the selectedlevel to place the selected parking space in alignment with the loadingaisle of the selected level, control means for causing said elevator torise to the selected level, control means actuated in response to thearrival of the elevator at the selected level to actuate the saidtransfer car to advance the same to the selected parking space on theselected platform, control means actuated in response to the arrival ofthe transfer car at the selected space for causing said transfer car todrop the car onto said platform into its parking space, control meansactuated in response to the placing of the car on the platform forcausing return of the transfer car onto the elevator, and control meansactuated-in response to the return of the transfer car onto the elevatorfor causing the elevator to return to its starting position.

3. An automobile parking structure which includes, a structure having aplurality of parking levels, each of said levels comprising a pluralityof platforms movable in parallel adjacent paths through said structure,said platforms each consisting of a plurality of parking spaces arrangedfor parking of automobiles therein in side by side relationshiplongitudinally of the platforms, each of said platforms operating in aminimum working space for shifting of the platform equal to twice theparking spaces arranged on the platform, less one, one of said parkingspaces being alignable with other like spaces on adjacent platformsforming therewith a loading aisle extending across the several platformsin the respective parking level, an elevator for raising and loweringautomobiles relative to the several parking levels positionedlongitudinally in alignment with the said loading aisle spaces when inalignment, the saidloading aisles of various parking levels beingpositioned vertically one above the other, a transfer car movable ontosaid elevator and movable therefrom over aligned loading aisle spacesand parking spaces aligned therewith, track means in the loading aislespace of each of said platforms to receive said transfer car whereby'tomove an automobile across said loading aisle space on any platform,corresponding trackv means in each of said parking spaces on saidplatforms alignable with the track means in said loading aisle spaceswhereby to receive :said transfer car thereon, said transfer carincluding drive means thereon for moving the same from the elevator oversaid track means longitudinally along the loadingaisle spaces to placeanv automobile in a parking space on a platform aligned therewith andfurther including additional means to raise and lower an automobilerelative to said platform, control means for selecting a particularparking space inv a particular platform at a particular parking levelincluding, means for rendering said control means active to cause theselected platform on the selected level to place the selected parkingspace in alignment with the loading aisle of the selected level, controlmeans for causing said elevator to rise to the selected level, controlmeans actuated`in response to the arrival of the elevator at theselected level toV actuate said transfer car to advance the same to theselected space, control means actuated in response to the arrival ofthetransfer car at the selected space for causing said transfer car to dropthe car onto said platform into its parking space, and control meansactuated in response to the placing of the car on the platform forcausing return of the transfer car onto the elevator.

4. An automobile parking structure which includes, a structure having aplurality of parking levels, each of said levelscomprising a pluralityof platforms movable in parallel adjacentpaths through said structure,said platforms each consisting of a plurality of parking spaces arrangedfor parking of automobiles therein in side by side relationshiplongitudinally of the platforms, each of said platforms operating in aminimum working space for shifting of the platform equal to twice theparking spaces arranged on the platform, less one, one of said parkingspaces being alignable with other like spaces on 'adjacent platformsforming therewitha loading aisle extending across the several platformsin the respective parking level, an elevator for raising and loweringautombiles relative to the several parking levels positionedlongitudinally in alignment with the said loading aisle spaces When inalignment, the said loading aisles of various parking levels beingpositioned vertically one above the other, a transfer car movable ontosaid elevator and movable therefrom over aligned loading 'aisle spacesand 'parking yspaces aligned therewith,Y Ameans Aconnected Avvitlrsaidplatforms individuallypperating each uof said platforms to p ositionhaparking'space thereof in alignment with4` .the loading aisle spaces ofvadjacent'platformsmand Withjsaid elevator, and ajcontrol systemwforautomatically controlling vthe parking of anj automobile including,means for actuating` the transfert@ because theisame tesuppertanautomobile jplaced jthereover, control means rfor selectively operatinga,p l atform at a', selected parking `levelto,position a ,selectedparking space ingalignment ,withthe l loading aisle, means :forVselectivelyI causingjthe' elevatorv toj carry the automobile .t ,laSelectedmarkne, level, control means foru causing 'said "gtransfer- 'canto; remove thjevautom'obile.'fromithe elevator and place it in theselected parkingspace and return Ato the elevatoiy-'xand',control meansfor returning the elevatorV to its starting position:

5f Anjautomobile parkingjstructure which ncludes;V a; structure havingaplurality Vof parking levels, each` of `saidilevels Vcomprising aplurality of platforms 'movable Yin Vparallel adjacent "paths througlrrsaid structure, said platforms eachconsistinglof a pluralityofparkingpspaces arrangedV for parking of automobiles therein in sidebygside relationshiplongitudinally of the platforms,-each of saidplatforms also having a space al-ignable withl otherV like spaces onadjacent platforms forming, therewith a loading aisle veX- tendingacross-the severalplatform s inthe respective `parking j'level, anvelevator. for rraising andi-lowering automobiles relative; to the`several parking levels f positioned*longitudinallyv in alignment withthesaid loading aisle vspaces when in alignmentythe said loadingaislesof various parking '-;levels being positioned -vertcall'y Yoneabove thelothenjatransfer car movable onto `said `elevator an'd'gmovabletherefromcover'aligned loading;l aisle spaces and g parking spacesaligned therewith; means connectedV with said platforms individually*Yoperating jeach' of said platforms to position-'fa parking spacethereofAirl-alignment with; the loading aisle r spaces of adjacent`platforms'and-{Withfsaid elevator, control means for selectingafparticularparking space ina particular-platform'at a'particularparking level includ-N ing;- means for-rendering said control meansactive-to Y cause-the selected platformon the selected-level toplace-the selected-parking space in alignment With the loading aisle ofthe Yselected level,- control -means for -causingsaid elevator torise-tothe selected-levelecontrol means actuated iniresponsetof-thev-arrivalof the elevator at vthe selectedffleveleto lactuate-thesaid transfer car to advance-the same vto the selected parking spaceonfth'e-selected platform, control means actuated in=response tothearrival of the transfer car at th'exfselected space'forl causing said'transfer car to.-.drop. thecar onto said platform into itsparkingljspace,y control meansractuated inresponse to the placingof thecar-on the platform for causingqreturn :offthe `transfer car :onto the,elevator, and `control;means actuatediniy response ;to the return"vpf.fthetransfer fcar onto the elevator for causingj the 'I elevator 'v toreturn:` tof its-1 starting position;

6.A An automobile parking 'structure #which includes,a-structurehavingva-Y-plurality of parking levels,A- eachof-:said'levels comprising va plurality of platforms movable in parallel`adjacent paths throughsaidvstructure,` said platforms eachconsisting'of a pluralityr of parking spaces arranged for parkingpfautomobiles therein. in sideby side relationship longitudinally of theplatforms, each' of said platforms valso having-a space ,-alignablewith: other'like-.spaceson adjacentplatforms forming; tl'i'erevvitlr a;loading,t aislef extending across the several platforms in .the`respective parking Ilevel, an elevator for .raising and.loweringpautomobiles relative to the:several parking levelspositionedlongitudinally in alignment -With' the said loading aisle-'spaces when.in alignment,I the Vsaid loadingnaisles of variouslparking .levelsbeing positionedvertioally one above .the other,'a transfercarmovableonto said elevator and movable therefrom over aligned. loadingaisle. spaces andA parking spaces aligned l therewith', meansconnectediwith saidplatforms individually operatingleach ofsaidplatforms to position a parking space-thereof` inalignment with theloading aisle spacesof adjacent Lplatforms and withsaid ele'- vator,control means forl selecting, a `particular parking. space-in aYparticular .platform at `a sparticular .parking leve1.including,=meansfor render,- ingfsaid control means active to cause the selectedplatform onthe selected.r level toplace the selected parking space inalignment with .theloadingaisle of. 'theaselected level, control meansfor causing said elevatorto` risesto the selected level,` control meansactuated inresponse to the arrival of the elevator at .theseleoted levelto-actuate said transfer 4car to advance the same to the selected space,control 1means,..actuated Vin responsexto the arrival ofthe v:transfer.car at the selected space for causing saidtransfer .car to drop the caronto said platform into :its parking-space,A control meansactuated-in'response to the.,placingiiof the-car onthelplatformforcausing return of the transfer car onto the :elevatonrcontrol means.actuated in responseto the.v return of the :transfer-caronto theelevatorzforcausing.the elevator. to return to its starting position,and control means actuated in'response to the Ydown movement of theelevator for causingJthe selected platform toreturn toits startingposition.

IHNOIFVWEBER;

REFERENCSY CITED.

The following -references areof -record inthe file of this patent:

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